Expanding Futures through

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's

Enhanced Extern Program

During the COVID-19 pandemic hospitals across the world were left with limited health human resources. To combat these challenges, many retired healthcare providers or those who left the industry returned to support the needs of our patients and the broader health systems. Another such addition to our healthcare teams was to employ nursing students to aid hospital efforts, thus creating what is known today as Ontario’s Ministry of Health’s Enhanced Extern Program.

Today, the Enhanced Extern Program is a valuable resource for both students and employers, providing students the opportunity to work in a clinical environment where they can develop and consolidate competencies to prepare to transition into a future career after completing their studies. At Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) this program aligns with our Strategic Initiatives of staff and leadership development and as part of our health human resources retention strategy.

Over the past two years that HDGH has participated in the program, our organization has employed 24 Nurse Externs within our Complex Medical Care (CMC), Inpatient Rehab (IPR), and Toldo Neurobehavioural Institute (TNI) inpatient units.

As part of our organization’s commitment to the program, Clinical Externs may be considered for career opportunities at HDGH upon graduation, which is exactly what two of our previous nursing externs did.

Meet Natalee, a practical nursing student, turned into Extern, turned into PSW, turned into Registered Practical Nurse employee!

In January 2023, during the second semester of the Practical Nursing Program at St. Clair College, Natalee was placed on our 3 North CMC Unit for her clinical placement. While there, her Clinical Instructor shared information about the new Extern Program launching at HDGH and encouraged Natalee to apply. Having had a positive experience during her placement, Natalee did apply and was welcomed into the Extern Program in June.

“The nurse extern program impacted my career journey by allowing me to experience being part of a healthcare team, building stronger communication skills with patients, family and staff,” Natalee recalls. “It gave me valuable experience to help me gain confidence in my clinical skills while bridging the gap between in class learning and hands on nursing.”

Inspired by the culture and opportunities presented at HDGH, Natalee continued on to apply to work at our organization as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), where she gained further experience while continuing her studies.

Today, we are overjoyed to share that with her studies completed and as an official Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Natalee is a proud HDGH nursing employee supporting the medical healthcare needs of our patients in inpatient rehab.

“I really enjoy working in IPR, supporting patients through their recovery and witnessing their progress over time is something I find incredibly inspiring and motivating,” Natalee shares. “What I am most excited about in my nursing career is to keep learning and developing my skills in order to provide the best care possible for all patients.”

It is our hope that Natalee’s story inspires other clinical students to know that opportunities await them – those opportunities may just be at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.

HDGH’s latest Enhanced Extern Contract is set to begin in June with 11 new students embarking on their future.

For more information on HDGH’s Enhanced Extern Program, including information on our 2026 session, please visit our website.

Transforming Child and Youth Mental Healthcare

Check out our latest blog where DJ MacNeil, Director of HDGH's Regional Children's Centre, introduces the Assertive Community Treatment Team for Children (ACT-C). Modeled after ACT for adults, this program is tailored to children, along with their families, and is the first of its kind in Ontario. 

ACT-C is transforming the face of children’s mental health care by bringing services directly into homes and communities—meeting kids where they need it the most.

HDGH Duo Provides Relationship Resources to Inmates at SWDC

In early April, HDGH's Gambling Counselors Chelsea Rodrigues and Jennifer Forfitt completed the first cycle of the Addictions and Codependency Psychoeducational Group for inmates at Windsor's Southwest Detention Centre (SWDC).

The group was hosted weekly over the course of four weeks, sharing invaluable information on codependency and unhealthy relationships, behaviours that can lead to re-offenses and continued interactions with police, hospitals, and corrections for many in our judicial system. The group also aimed to encourage individuals to continue their recovery while incarcerated and once released. 

Immense gratitude was shared by the inmates taking part in the group learnings, as well as from the coordinators, guards, and mental health professionals at the SWDC.

As we look to the future, Chelsea and Jennifer hope to support even more individuals with a second group session already underway.

Introducing Graceful Moments

It is well known that at HDGH we take immense pride in the programs and services we specialize in to improve the health and wellbeing of those in our community. What may not be at the forefront as much are the people - all those who make up our team - who do transformational work both within the walls of our hospital and throughout our community.

Graceful Moments is a new segment we have introduced on our HDGH social media channels to highlight the impactful moments of our employees, physicians, volunteers, patients, and others in our HDGH community. These posts aim to inspire and make our audience feel good and proud of all those who make our organization the special place that it is known to be.

HDGH Celebrates Board of Directors at

Foundation AGM

At the beginning of April, our Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation hosted its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Social Hour.

Following the AGM, the evening was filled with awards, meaningful conversations, and connections.

Departing members of our Hospital Board of Directors were recognized for their impactful dedication to our organization over numerous years. We once again celebrate and thank the following departing members of our Board:

• Andrew Daher, Director
• Brian Payne, Past Chair and hospital designate for HDGH Foundation Board
• Dr. Ken Blanchette, Chair
• Donna Wellington, Director
• Jeff Topliffe, Director, Patient and Family Advisory Council Representative
• Cynthia Summer, Non-Director Community Member
• Phillip Olla, HDGH Foundation Board Director

Celebrating our Volunteers

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week 2025, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible individuals who give their time, energy, and hearts to Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.

This year’s theme, “Volunteers Make Waves,” is a perfect reflection of the impact our volunteers have—not only within our hospital walls but throughout the entire community. Like ripples in water, your kindness and commitment create lasting change, touching lives in ways you may not always see, but that are deeply felt by those we serve.

On Saturday, April 26th, we kicked off Volunteer Appreciation Week with a Volunteer Appreciation luncheon where we celebrated these important members of our team. We recognized those who achieved milestone hours of service in the past year, as well as our 2025 recipient of the Ronald J. Truant Spirit of Volunteering Award: Ana Patel.

Volunteer presence brings comfort, hope, and healing. They are part of what makes HDGH a place of compassion and dignity, and we are so thankful to have volunteers are part of our HDGH community.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at HDGH, many volunteer opportunities are available! Visit our website to learn more.